bench

[gene kirkpatrick]

Sitting here in my circa '60s Celtics T shirt with sweat and coffee stains older than my children, hoping for a break tonight but not too keyed up about it.  We'll end up with the highest choice of all our young guns, but he probably won't play anytime soon.
   
   The one constant I've noticed in the playoffs is that the better bench has usually led to victory.  It hasn't been the bench squad so much as individual players able to step in and make their 10-12 points and keep the flow going:  Stackhouse, Hunter, Finley, Bell--quality guys whom you expect to contribute.  I haven't seen great defense, yet; what happened to Cleveland in game seven was more the wheels coming off of the LeBron machine, although Detroit finally dedicated themselves to their efforts.  The next series in the East will be a test of defense and the benches; could Antoine be the hero, or . . . .
   
  I'm hopeful our choice will be the best big available (by draft or trade); when Dallas needed someone to stop Duncan last night, they had Diop.  The game hinged on his ability to step in and deliver.  Cheers, Gene
   

		
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